Tag Archives: The Malaueg Church in Cagayan – A UNESCO World Heritage Site

MALAUEG CHURCH

Photo from: wikipedia.org

The St. Raymond of Penyafort Parish, also known as The Malaueg Church is one of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) world heritage sites in the Philippines and seat of The Archdiocese of Tuguegarao City, Philippines. The church dedicated to San Raymundo de Penaforte was built in Malaueg through the efforts of a local chieftain named Luis Pagulayan. Malaueg was accepted as an ecclesiastical mission of the Dominicans in 1608 and was used as an outpost for the conquest of the Cordillera and in bringing down remontados.

Photo from: leejz.net

The church as seen today is entirely botanical. Its corners were entirely covered with plants; the front area was also covered with plants. By the inspections of the engineers, the church was entirely made of “sedimentary rocks” or “smooth river stones”. Even the church’s back part was entirely covered with botanical plants. The bell tower was holding one of the oldest church bell in the Philippines. It was stolen by unrecognized idea.

Photo from: simbahan.net

The church was made entirely with smooth river stones but in the inside has the same age with the outer walls. Inside also features a centuries year old altar with the statue of St. Raymond de Penyafort at the center, Jesus Christ at the left side, Mother Mary and the child Jesus at the right and the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ at the top. The altar was often infested by Bats.

Photo from: faithhopebeliefprayersmiracles.blogspot.com

At the Church far back, the early ruins still visible. Even the early church facade is still visible. At the area, some engineers discovered crosses known to be as the early Spanish cemetery and was still visible. Also the church’s way of the cross. It was rumored that the wooden way of the cross does rumors that have been discovered by Malaueg people. The early convent was now turned to a private school. Until today, the old convent ruins is still visible that it was also made entirely with “River Stones”.

Photo from: flickriver.com

The church was old, many known Spanish priest were buried at the back part of the church. Many rumors were told about treasures of these Spanish priests. Some says that when in a dream, there’s a gold to be dug deep. Some people believe on the rumors because it happens when one of the citizens dreamed about a treasure at the rear part of the church. These “Malaueg” people tell this rumors then some came true.

Photo from: wikipedia.org

The Church was said to be one of the oldest and one of the only surviving Spanish made church in the Philippines. It was mostly visited by people coming from Europe most especially from France, Spain, and Switzerland. These foreigners also brought supplies for the restoration of the church. Due to its significance in Philippine history, foreigners and Filipinos frequently visit the church.